Minnie Rhodes

Minnie Hicks Rhodes, 93, transitioned from this life on Sept. 15, 2021, after an eight year battle with Alzheimer's. Minnie was born on Aug. 30, 1928 to William Lee Hicks and Revie Breazeale Hicks in Vernon, AL. Minnie grew up in Louisville, MS and Noxapater, MS. She graduated from Noxapater High School in 1947. Minnie was very close to her cousin, Erna Sanders, whom she visited during her summers in high school. Upon graduation, Minnie moved to Jackson and lived with Erna and her husband, Jack Sanders. Minnie worked various jobs in Jackson including Harper Foundry and The Clarion-Ledger. It was at The Clarion-Ledger that Minnie met her husband, Cliff Rhodes. They married on March 18, 1948. Minnie moved to Bowling Green, KY with her husband, where she attended college at Bowling Green Business University. She worked at City Hospital in Bowling Green, where she was trained to do the work of an R.N. Upon Cliff's graduation they moved back to Jackson where Minnie began work at Southern Bell Telephone Company in 1953. She worked there until the birth of her daughter, Linda, on Dec. 19, 1957, when she quit to stay home with her child.

Minnie began bowling at Bowl-A-Rama in 1962 and bowled in many leagues where she served as team captain. She later bowled at Larwil Lanes, Appleridge Lanes, Cotton Bowl and Paradise Lanes. She loved to bowl and quit in her 80's as her health began to decline. Minnie also loved crossword puzzles, game shows, playing bridge, and anything competitive.

In 1974, Minnie decided to return to school to study history. She then took a psychology course and was hooked. She began full time at Hinds in 1975 and earned an Associate Degree in the spring of 1977. In the fall of 1977, Minnie began college at Belhaven, where she earned a B.S. in Psychology in 1980, on the same day that her daughter graduated from Millsaps. She then attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, where she earned a Double Master's Degree in Psychology in 1982. She began work as a Licensed Professional Counselor this same year. Minnie had a gift for communicating with people and motivating them to their highest potential. Minnie retired from counseling after working 14 years.

Minnie was a two-time breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed first at the age of 51, having a mastectomy, and again at the age of 80, taking radiation treatments.

Minnie was preceded in death by her husband, Cliff Rhodes, her son-in-law, Harry Anthony Piazza, Jr.; her brothers, Will C. Hicks and John Thrasher and her cousin, Erna Sanders.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda Rhodes-Piazza of Pearl; step-grandchildren, Tony Piazza (Beth) of Nashville, TN., Tiffany Piazza Grove (Bryan) of Raymond, and Natalie Piazza Crowder (Stephen) of Florence; step-great-grandchildren, Bry and Jack Grove of Raymond and Easton Crowder of Florence. She is also survived by her sister, Janie Eaves (Harley) of Louisville and sister-in-law, Betty Rhodes of Pelahatchie.

A special thanks to Minnie's sitters, Kim, Shay, Robyn and Latreeda for giving such loving care to her. Thank you to Betty Thompson who came every week and did Minnie's hair. Also to Kindred Hospice and Nurse Mollie. Memorials may be made to Rescue Revolution, P.O. Box 13616 Jackson, MS 39236.

Visitation will be held on Mon. Sept. 20, 2021 from 1pm-1:45pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Funeral Services are 2pm on Mon. Sept. 20, 2021 at the Ott & Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Brandon, MS with burial in the Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl, MS.